Yes

by Donna Hicks

Created on: September 19, 2010   Last Updated: September 20, 2010

Criminals can be reformed, but there are important aspects of this issue to consider before one may want to definitively say that all criminals can be reformed. Although programs and services available in institutions to help the criminal be rehabilitated and successfully re-integrate back into society may vary from state to state, most criminals can indeed be reformed.

Issues to Consider

States may offer programs in prisons which some convicted felons take advantage of simply because it gets them out of their cell, or because of more sinister activities. In one state prison recently, it was reported by a chaplain that Aryan Nation members conducting “religious services” in the chapel were actually conducting weekly Aryan Nation meetings. The warden received a threat that one of the guards would be killed if he didn't change certain things at the prison. A shakedown of Aryan Nation member's cells wielded cell phones, several shanks, drugs and other items. The letter writer was a member of the prison's Aryan Nation members. Will the prison staff now be more wary of others who genuinely wish to hold services in the chapel?

In the wake of program cuts to services in state prisons, and in mental health, substance abuse treatment and social services within communities, where does that leave some former inmates who may no longer have access to programs to help them deal with their issues and teach them life and job skills to prepare them for the “real world?” This writer had a certain inmate released to the halfway house where she was a case manager. The inmate had been incarcerated twenty years. It was policy that parolees were given bus tokens for job seeking. The inmate came to this writer on the third day and embarrassingly revealed why he had not left the facility. He did not even know how to catch a bus, after 20 years in prison. This writer spent 30 minutes showing him where to catch the bus, how to transfer to another bus, how to read a bus schedule and how to signal when to get off the bus. He had a job within two weeks and completed the halfway house program.

Many parolees went on to be successful, never returning to prison. But recent service cuts have resulted in fewer halfway houses, mental health and medical clinics. Do all parolees remain free? Absolutely not; in some areas, the recidivism rates are high and some of it may be attributed to program cuts, but some may possibly be attributed to those who simply choose to live the criminal life.

Vow of a Criminal

In late 2009, a white man named Joshua Muller stood before the judge. He had been convicted of opening fire on a family who was riding in a car. Two black children, one 16 and one 12 were killed and another 12 year old was injured. Muller was mad over being sentenced to life without parole, rather than the death penalty he asked for. When the judge refused, Muller stated that he will kill again and would send the judge a letter when he does, as reported by News on 6. Could this man be reformed if he were released from prison? Is a situation like this detrimental to society's and the court's perceptions of all criminals and whether they can be reformed?

Reformed Criminals in the Spotlight

Richard Bennett knows what it's like when he learns of an incident of gang or street violence. He's been there. He was shot and decided that life was worth living. He now counsels young men in gangs and goes to schools to talk to students. He opened a non-profit to help turn kids around in Chattanooga, Tennessee, according to News Channel 9.

Gary Molina used to import cocaine all the way from Costa Rica to San Jose. Now he is a minister, quite the music talent and executive producer of a movie. “I'm in Love with a Church Girl,” closely resembling his own life, as reported by the Oakland Tribune.

Virgil Vanarsdale, of Memphis did not hide his felony record from his satellite TV employer. He was honest and was hired as an installer. There had been no problems with him and SatelliteGuys.US reports that his supervisor believes that if a person comes out of prison attempting to really be reformed they should be given a chance, “as long as they stay on the up-and-up…” A customer stated that it would not bother him if a reformed criminal trying to make a legitimate living came to his house. He stated they paid their dues and need to work.

Thoughts on Criminal Reform

Can criminals be reformed? Of course, but we also have to consider people like Muller. There are more criminals like Muller who vow to “do it again.” Certainly better services need to be available in institutions and in communities. More people have been turning to crime in recent years due to economic factors. If better community services were available, some of today's criminals would not have the label of “criminal” in the first place. If we expect criminals to be reformed, we must give them the tools to be reformed, and maybe they will pick up the tools to success instead of criminal tools.

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